NWC: Nigeria’s economic redemption tied to empowerment of women —Sanwo-Olu, Bala Mohammed
By Moses Adeniyi
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Bauchi State counterpart, Mr. Bala Muhammad have asserted that the path to restoring Nigeria’s economy is tied to sound empowerment and participation of women in the rebuilding process.
These were the submissions of the duo at the closing ceremony of the National Womens’ Conference (NWC) organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), on Thursday, in Lagos.
“The progress of Lagos State, and indeed any society, is intrinsically tied to the empowerment and participation of its women. It is not a question of if women should have a seat at the table; it is recognizing that they have always been essential to its foundation,” Sanwo-Olu said.
According to him, the conference was “a remarkable journey of empowerment, inspiration, and transformation, and it is my distinct pleasure to share in this moment of celebration and reflection with you all.”
He harped that the theme of the conference, “Unleash Your Potential,” is a call to action for every woman “that we all possess the ability to make a difference, no matter our background or circumstances.”
“We have gathered here to recognise and celebrate the remarkable contributions of women and men who have played pivotal roles in shaping the progress of Lagos State and Nigeria,” he added.
“As you leave this conference and return to your communities, let us carry with us the spirit of empowerment and the belief that we can truly make a difference.
“Whether you are a student, a professional, a businesswoman, a mother, or a leader, your potential is boundless. Let us support one another and continue to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create opportunities for women to excel in every field,” Sanwo-Olu urged the women.
He acknowledged the role of his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu who is the Chairman of COWLSO for organizing what he described as “another remarkable conference and keeping the lofty flag of the COWLSO soaring high.”
His counterpart, the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, who said the gathering “is a testament to the immense power, resilience and potential that our beloved women inherently possess,” submitted that Government at all levels “have a responsibility to create an enabling environment that encourages entrepreneurship and fosters economic empowerment for women.”
“Today as always, we recognise the pivotal role that women play in our society. They are the bedrock of our families, the backbone of our communities, and the driving force behind our Nation’s progress.
“It is therefore, high time we acknowledged the immense contributions they make day-in and day-out to build a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
The Bauchi Governor added that ”prompt action” is required to eliminate the various obstacles that women face.
“We must make quality education accessible and affordable to every girl child, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to excel in any field they choose. By investing in education, we empower women to become leaders, visionaries, and catalysts of change,” he submitted.
He said that access to capital, business training, and mentorshi programmes are essential in supporting women owned businesses and facilitating their growth.
“By doing so, we are not only empowering women economically but also driving economic development and poverty alleviation within our States,” he added.
Bala Mohammed who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, at the closing ceremony, expressed pleasure and gratitude for the conceptualisation of the conference, acknowledging Sanwo-Olu’s “dedication towards empowering women, promoting gender equality, and fostering a spirit of collaboration among States is highly commendable.”
In her remarks, the First Lady of Lagos State who is the Chairman of COWLSO, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-olu at the closing ceremony, said the “life-transforming experience” would have ripple effects on the Nigerian society and beyond as the participants would go out to exhibit the capacity acquired from the conference in their various spheres of influence.
“We have had topnotch presentations and in-depth analysis from brilliant minds and industry experts who have shared their thoughts and experiences on carefully chosen topics in furtherance of the agenda to ensure that women make the best of our strength and capabilities as pillars in our various homes and society, and effectively deploy the mantra “No woman, No Nation,” towards achieving phenomenal heights.
“With the high-level participation of political and economic leaders and women from across the country as well as the quality of contributions during the interactive sessions, I am confident that the various conversations at this conference will further inspire women to unleash their potential and influence our dear State and Nation significantly,” she said.
She added that “It has also addressed various challenges affecting women and promoting their wellbeing for a productive and fulfilling lifestyle.”
Aside from the main theme, sub-topics thoroughly examined among others during the conference include: Homestead Farming; Making Eco-Friendly Choices for Sustainable Development: Unleashing Potential through Healthy Choices; Challenges of Out-of-Pocket Payment: The Role of Health Insurance; Education: A Catalyst to Socio-economic Development; Maximizing the Prospects of the 21st Century Youth; The Power of Storytelling: Enabling Narratives for Social Change and Cultural Exchange. and Understanding Cyber Security Fundamentals in the Digital Age: Vulnerabilities, Hackers, Data Breaches and Digital Identity.
Four lucky participants who won star prizes at the conference include Mrs. Peju Kunle-Ojo, who won a Travel Ticket worth N1.5million; Mrs. Adetoro Agunrege, also won a Travel Ticket worth N2.5million; Mrs. Ibitoye Kudirat, a civil servant with the Public Service Office, won a brand-new GAC salon car; and Mrs. Adu Oluwatoyin, clinched the Star Prize of a 3-bedroom apartment at LagosHoms, Sangotedo.
“I would like to advise all participants to apply the lessons, new skills, and network garnered here to improve on your daily activities. Let me stress that you need to break new grounds, going forward,” she urged them.
She appreciated all leaders, colleagues, supporters, friends, and associates “who have ensured that the 23RD NWC of COWLSO is indeed a success.”
